Double Wishbone Suspension in Cars: Meaning, Working and Benefits

Double wishbone suspension is a type of suspension design that helps move the wheels of a vehicle and adjust to the driving conditions. With various types of suspension systems available in the automobile industry, the double wishbone suspension design is the most common.

Owing to its construction, this design offers superior control in high-performance vehicles. Read on to learn more about this suspension design and how it works.

The detailed working of this suspension system is mentioned below:

• It comprises wishbone arms that are rotated to face the frame member.
• These arms are called "A-arms" because they resemble the Roman letter "A”.
• On some modern systems, the lower and upper control arms utilise ball joints to fix the spindle/hub assembly. These arms then connect to the chassis or body of the car for pivoting.
• The axle half-shafts connect to the differential and hub flanges through U-joints or CV-joints on wheel drives. This allows the wheels to move up and down smoothly. It also permits side-to-side steering movements.
• A damper or shock absorber is also connected between the lower and upper control arms to help lower suspension bounce.

Also known as the unequal length double wishbone system, in the short, long arms suspension, the upper arm is an A-arm and smaller than the lower one, which is an L-arm or A-arm. It can also be a pair of compression arms at times.

The mechanism of the four-bar link in the system formed due to unequal length of arms creates a change in the camber as a car rolls. This allows a superior contact patch with the road and increases the vehicle’s cornering capacity.

• A car with a double wishbone suspension system will have more excellent road stability because of the lower control and vertical upper arms, increasing the negative camber. An increased negative camber helps provide a smooth ride and enhances vehicle handling by reducing tyre vibrations.
• Unlike most other suspension systems, this is one of the best for maintaining driving stability and reliability, as it does not affect the vehicle wheel alignment.
• It helps the car have more traction.
• This system is highly durable and rigid, which makes it a top choice in SUVs or trucks.

• It comes with a higher manufacturing cost since it involves the production of several complicated parts.
• Owing to its complex design and a network of highly sophisticated materials, it also comes with a high maintenance cost.

With its rigid framework, the double wishbone suspension system helps maintain optimal vehicle handling and cornering ability. The system is complex and challenging to design, which might add to the maintenance and repair costs. However, you can keep these costs low with proper vehicle care and careful driving.